Lib Dems Oppose Switching Off of Speed Cameras (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Oppose Switching Off of Speed Cameras

August 12, 2010 4:09 PM

As most people by now know, speed cameras in Oxfordshire were switched off on 1st August. This is because the County Council on 27th July decided to cut its whole £600,000 contribution to the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership (a partnership that includes Buckinghamshire and Berkshire councils, and the police). The Government grant to local authorities towards the funding of the partnership was reduced by £300,000 but the withdrawal of the additional £300,000 as a cost-saving measure means that the partnership is no longer workable in Oxfordshire.

At the Council meeting Liberal Democrats opposed the cut of £300,000 and proposed other measures to replace it. Unfortunately, the Lib Dem amendment was rejected without debate or a vote.

Cllr David Turner, Lib Dem spokesperson on Transport, said, "Figures show that in Oxfordshire the introduction of speed cameras was followed by a noticeable drop in road traffic accidents. Speed limits, of course, remain in place, and can be enforced by the police on an ad hoc basis. Drivers should not need the deterrent of cameras - but evidence here is that they did seem to work. I really hope that their switching off does not lead to the rise in accidents that the previous drop would suggest - we know, of course, that it has already led to an apparent rise in speed where the cameras used to be."

Cllr Anne Purse added, "It is not just the speed cameras themselves, of course, that is the problem here - the whole work of the Road Safety Partnership has ceased in Oxfordshire. That means the other enforcement and driver education (and re-education) classes that the partnership carried out and which have been more effective than fines in the prevention of repeated driving offences, relating not only to speed but to issues such as alcohol and seat-belts. This is most regrettable."